Certain of authenticity of police investigation in Vinay Mahto murder case, Sapphire International School management has denied any reservations on its part regarding further investigation in the case.
Talking to mediapersons on Saturday, school Chairman Rohit Sahu stated any competent investigating agency could be nominated to take charge of the investigation if there still is any doubt over the findings so far in the case.
“Responsibility of further investigation should be given to a capable agency to alleviate any doubts over the role of school administration in the case. If there are demands of handing the case over to Central Bureau of Investigation, then we accept that too,” he said.
Informing about action taken against school staff who failed to execute their duties on the fateful night, Sahu stated that some of them have been terminated and rest suspended, along with answers demanded from them.
“Two security guards who abandoned their posts have been sacked. Another guard deployed near the teachers’ hostel, who was also absent from duty without informing his superiors, has also been fired. A show cause notice was issued to boys’ hostel warden, who later resigned on his own accord,” Sahu said.
School administration has also asked Head of Boarding RP Pradhan and Head of Security to answer for the gruesome death of the 12-year boy. Each of them have been given a two to three day deadline to register their answers, stated Principal Dhruv Das.
Major changes have been made in the security arrangements within the school premises too. “As per the recommendations from police departments and Crime Investigation Department, we have overhauled the school’s security system. For this, we have signed a contract with world’s leading security service provider ‘Group 4’. Close circuit television (CCTV) cameras with night vision have been installed around the campus. A monitoring room has been set up where feed from these cameras will be monitored round the clock,” said Sahu.
Two contingents of seven security guards each will be deployed across the school in two shifts, overseen by a supervisor for each shift. To prevent any untowardly incidents in the school in future, counselling sessions for teachers are being conducted, Sahu said.
As of now, the classes in the school have been suspended sine die and will be resumed soon. “The school will reopen on Monday. We currently are conversing with parents of our students about this and have already talked to more than 80 per cent guardians. They have consented to send their wards back,” Sahu said.
He further added, “We want to meet Vinay’s parents too and are with them in such hard times. We are willing to do whatever they wish of us.”